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Munich Oktoberfest Celebrates 200th Anniversary in 2010

Posted by Evelyn Kanter on August 23, 2010 at 5:30pm

Munich Oktoberfest celebrates 200th anniversary in 2010

Germany is justifiably famous for its great beer and wine festivals, which start in late summer or early fall and focus on regional wines, beers, and culinary specialties. The most famous is the Munich Oktoberfest, the world’s oldest and largest beer festival , which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2010. Festival dates this year are September 18 to October 4.

The Munich Oktoberfest turns the city into party central. Dozens of huge tents s

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Southernmost Mojito in Key West

Posted by Maria de los Angeles on August 20, 2010 at 6:00am
Louie's Backyard on 700 Waddell Avenue in Key West has a waterfront bar called the "afterdeck" that while rustic in appearance, is quite possibly one of the best places to sip a mojito in peace and quiet on this island of motley residents and tourists -- just a few blocks away from the hustle and bustle of Duval Street. Trust me when I tell you, the drink was as good as the view.

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American Airlines Adds Yet Another Fee

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 20, 2010 at 6:08am
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From NMT Images
American Airlines Charges for Front Row Seats

American Airlines (AMR Corp.) already charges for checked bags, priority boarding, booking on the phone, unaccompanied minors, pets and other so-called amenities.

Now the airline, the country’s second largest after Delta, is charging between $19 and $35.00 (depending on the length of flight) for front row coach seats, those handful of rows known as bulkhead seats. These are not exit row seats; they’re the seats located after the wall or
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Flight Attendants Get No Respect. Can They Do Their Jobs?

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 19, 2010 at 5:12am
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From NMT Images
Flight Attendants Get No Respect. So Can They Do Their Jobs?

Wanted: Someone to push heavy carts along a narrow aisle dispensing Coke (the drink), cookies and conversation, with a smile.

Applicant must be able to evacuate a plane, determine, behind closed curtains, what passengers are most likely to help in an emergency and wonder about the little girl flying alone, sitting next to that suspicious man.

The smiling applicant must be able change personalities suddenly, bark commands, f
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Postcard From Hawk's Cay in the Florida Keys

Posted by Maria de los Angeles on August 19, 2010 at 6:00am

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I recently traveled on a press trip to the Florida Keys. I stopped at Hawk's Cay first, followed by two blissful days in Key West, staying at the Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa. Here's a quick wrap-up of my trip, but more stories coming soon at Sex and the Beach.

My first stop is Hawk's Cay Resort on Duck Key. I'm on assignment for a romantic travel story, so it's ironic I'd end up at this VERY family friendly resort. Heck, there is even a Tranquility Pool for adults 21 and over who want to escape
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Senators To U.S. DOT: Revise Airplane-Related Animal Death Policy

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 18, 2010 at 9:00pm
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From NMT Images

When James Hough’s pet puppy, Iagan, died on Delta flight #125 from Brussels to Atlanta in February, he was devastated.

But not paralyzed. He confronted Delta, which initially offered him $1,800 in compensation.

But Hough wanted answers, not money, so he persisted in trying to determine just how his dog died. He asked to see the original crate Iagan was carried in.

Instead, Delta sent a brand new crate, representing it as the original one.
Hough challenged Delta, which then withdrew
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Epic Adventures

Posted by Stephanie Hart on August 17, 2010 at 10:30pm
9008560258?profile=originalThis past weekend, my best friend Allyson (another avid cruiser) and I had the opportunity to board Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Epic, and take a tour. Before I go into details about our experience, let me just say that the Epic is, quite simply, Epic. It was aptly named & has quickly become a favorite. The NCL staff was not only polite and helpful but created a quick sense of comfort & cohesion among the group.

When we arrived, we had no problem finding parking & getting to our destinati
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Happy Birthday, Agatha Christie

Posted by Lillian Africano on August 17, 2010 at 10:19pm

So every once a while, there's a story you really, really want to do. I have one coming up next month: I'm covering the Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay, England. The festival is held every year, but this year is a big one, as it's the 120th anniversary of Dame Agatha's birth. As a dedicated fan, I've read all the books, seen all the films and BBC programs. And now I'll get to visit Christie's home, see her manuscripts, typewriters, memorabilia--and the garden of poisonous plants used to knoc

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The Tango Buenos Aires Festival 2010

Posted by Roy Heale on August 17, 2010 at 7:50pm

By Roy Heale

Despite the chilly winter weather at this time of year nothing can dampen their spirit as thousands of dance enthusiasts converge on Buenos Aires for the annual Tango Festival. Recognized as the Tango birthplace, Buenos Aires offers a year-round Tango extravaganza but every year the last two weeks of August provide an in-depth experience of this Argentine cultural and historical identity. This is the global Mecca for dancers who enjoy watching or performing milonga and tango plus the

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Online Vacation Rentals Market Goes Gangbusters

Posted by José Balido on August 16, 2010 at 8:00pm
by José Balido

With an assist from straightened economic times (from both the supply and demand side), vacation rentals -- aka holiday rentals, as our Commonwealth cousins put it -- have been booming even more than when I last talked 'em up on this blog a year ago. New agencies -- especially Internet-based -- proliferate even as we see pushback from some local governments, recently including Paris, Maui, and New York State, the last of which in July approved a law banning rentals of less than 3
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The Foul Mouth of YouTube Travel

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 16, 2010 at 4:09am
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From NMT Images
The Foul Mouth of You Tube Travel

I’m absolutely convinced that comments on video sharing sites, especially You Tube, are more mean, potentially racists and more chaotic than comments posted to text-based blogs and sites.

And I’m sure there are many more comments posted to video sharing sites.

While I’m mostly talking about travel videos on You Tube, ( a large part of its inventory), I’ve seen the same kinds of responses in other categories on the site..

You Tube really is the wild,
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The New Tango, Wine, and Gay Tour of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Posted by Roy Heale on August 15, 2010 at 6:50pm

By Roy Heale

While Argentina's LGBT community is basking in the glow of the recent victory for same-sex marriage and adoption legislation there is a bustle of new activity in the gay tourism industry. International tourism to Argentina rose thirty percent in the month of June 2010 and it is probably safe to assume that many of these tourists were LGBT travelers. In anticipation of increased gay vacationers the local LGBT travel agency---and fellow IGLTA member---tour operator Duques del Plata hav

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BBC Launches New Travel Site -- But Is It Original Enough?

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 13, 2010 at 6:25pm
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From NMT Images


The British Broadcasting Corporation, known the work over as the BBC, just launched its new travel site, part of a series of site revamps, that will include other lifestyle features, and its timing may be impeccable.

With it’s own legendary reputation as a highly credible news and information source , the BBC’s new travel venture now boasts Emirates Airlines, unarguably one of the top tier, elegant airlines in the business, as its key sponsor.

BBC will partner for content with the
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JetBlue Flight Attendant: Hero or Nut Case?

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 11, 2010 at 7:14pm
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From NMT Images

Jet Blue Flight Attendant: Hero or Nut Case?

Out of 94,574 votes and 2,584 comments, the MSNBC poll had 50% calling Steven Slater a hero.

Ten per cent said he was “an idiot...putting other’s safety in danger and should be condemned. Another more forgiving 30% said he’s not a hero or a villain, “just plain crazy.”

And, remarkably, 10% had no opinion.

For anyone not on this planet the last couple of days days, Steven Slater is the Jet Blue flight attendant who grabbed the plane’s PA s
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Welcome To The Jungle: Teaching Kids the Value of Environmental Conservation in Costa Rica

Posted by GreenGlobalTravel.com on August 10, 2010 at 6:30am
By Bret Love for GreenGlobalTravel.com

We’re speeding down a river in Tortuguero National Park, a pristine 77,000-acre protected area at the heart of efforts to conserve the remarkable biodiversity in Costa Rica’s northeastern Limón Province. We’re far from anything you’d call “civilization,” over 2 hours by boat from the nearest road, in remote rainforests that receive up to 250 inches of rain a year. My eyes scan the dense thicket of trees that line the river, scoping for signs of movement amid
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Short Skirts, Bikini Tops Cause More Car Crashes

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 9, 2010 at 8:53pm
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From NMT Images
Short Skirts, Bikini Tops Cause More Car Crashes

You know it’s summer and a slow news season when the web site, Insurance News, tells us that men get into more car accidents in the summer than in the winter.

They get into more car crashes generally, but much more so in the summer, says Sheila’s Wheels, a British-based insurance company for women.

Why? Because men are ogling women when they should be driving.

Summer brings out the short skirts, the low cut blouses and sexy bikini to
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Wineries, Ferries & Amazing Lodging -- Seattle Style

Posted by Linda Kissam on August 8, 2010 at 8:40pm


Like most wine regions, there’s always a favorite or more publicized area of a state’s wine region. For Washington State it’s been Eastern Washington. Well…Ok, and fine….but in my quest to find the fun, the fabulous, the unique parts of a particular wine scene, I organized an 8-day wine trip to Western Washington – specifically gorgeous Seattle with all its water views, and the two-hour (driving or flying ) area west of it. I had such a good time, I am handing out awards. See who got what and wh

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Puppy Deaths On Plane Are Unacceptable

Posted by Kaleel Sakakeeny on August 6, 2010 at 9:45pm
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From NMT Images

Puppy Deaths On Plane Are Unacceptable

The death of seven puppies this week on an American Airline flight from Tulsa to Chicago broke the hearts of pet owners everywhere, and once again raised the issue of pet owner and airline responsibilities.

Tripatini previously published a post of mine on the dangers of transporting pets, especially short-muzzle dogs like bulldogs, but the death of seven out of the 14 puppies being transported is a clarion call for action and policy changes.

In
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New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Posted by Linda Kissam on August 6, 2010 at 2:01am

I love Sauvignon Blanc in all its forms, but I especially enjoy the New Zealand style. So when marketing rep Catherine Seda recently sent me a sample of the Mt Beautiful 2009 Sauvignon Blanc to try, I quickly ripped open the mailer and threw the wine in the wine refir to chill it down a bit.

I know Sauvignon Blanc works well with many appetizers, including cheese and vegetable trays. Its crisp, herb, citrus and mineral-nuanced flavors are usually perfect with light salads or meals that have green

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